The final meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) in 2010 took place in the Principality of Monaco today.

The WMSC approved the introduction of a new specification engine from 2013, underlining the FIA’s commitment to improving sustainability and addressing the needs of the automotive industry. Following dialogue with the engine manufacturers and experts in this field, the power units will be four cylinders, 1.6 litre with high pressure gasoline injection up to 500 bar with a maximum of 12,000 rpm.

The engines will deliver a 35% reduction in fuel consumption and will feature extensive energy management and energy recovery systems, while maintaining current levels of performance. In 2013, five engines will be permitted per driver, but each year after that the limit will be four.

Sporting and Technical Regulations

A number of changes were made to the Sporting and Technical Regulations for 2011, including:

• The article forbidding team orders (39.1) is deleted. Teams will be reminded that any actions liable to bring the sport into disrepute are dealt with under Article 151c of the International Sporting Code and any other relevant provisions
• Amendments to the list of penalties Stewards are permitted to apply
• Revisions to driving and driver conduct
• A limit on the width of the fast lane in the pits
• The introduction of a regulation permitting the Race Director to close the pit lane during a race for safety reasons
• The re-introduction of intermediate tyres for 2011
• Penalties to be applied to any driver who fails to use both specification of dry weather tyre during the race
• An amendment requiring gearboxes to be used for five consecutive races, instead of four
• Clarification on when cars can overtake the safety car
• A refinement to the principles of the regulations already agreed concerning moveable rear wings
• A better definition of the reference plane, and reinforcement of bodywork deflection tests, especially at the front of the reference plane
• The allowance for anti-intrusion panels to protect drivers’ legs

Amendments to the 2012 Technical Regulations were made in the following areas:

• Team communications will be made available to broadcasters
• The inclusion of fuel compounds produced from biomass
• A limitation on suspension uprights

MANUFACTURERS COMMISSION
The Manufacturers Commission, consisting of board representatives from the global automobile manufacturers, met twice during 2010 as part of the FIA’s commitment to developing a new strategic partnership between both parties.

The objectives of the Commission are:

• To further unite the development of motor sport and road car technology
• To improve the appeal to competitors, sponsors and broadcasters, and enhance the spectacle for the fans of FIA Championships
• To jointly explore common initiatives relating to the environment and road safety

Working Groups have been formed and meetings have been held between the FIA, automobile manufacturers and key automotive stakeholders, including partners in technology, tyres and fuel. The FIA’s new roadmap for motor sport is addressing the introduction of hybrid, turbo-charging and fuel injection technology into its Championships and international series, as well as the introduction of zero emission technologies.

Working in collaboration with these stakeholders, the FIA is continuing to drive more sustainable and road relevant technologies into motor sport and encouraging greater convergence between the sport, road cars and road safety.

SAFETY
A new study group has been established to help further develop safety, so that the FIA’s recommendations can be applied at all levels of the sport in a practical manner for competitors and organisers.

Benefitting from the close collaboration between the FIA and FIA Institute, the study group’s objectives are to determine how current FIA Standards can be adapted for grass root and national motor sport events, to identify best practices in all areas of safety, including cars, drivers’ equipment, organisation and accident management, and to advise on their adoption by ASNs at national level.

DECADE OF ACTION FOR ROAD SAFETY
The global launch of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety will take place on 11 May 2011. The FIA has formed a working group, comprising members of the World Council, to support the FIA Clubs and its partners at the FIA Foundation, iRAP and eSafety Aware in their efforts to advocate safer cars, develop educational programmes and support efforts to protect vulnerable road users.

In relation to sport, the FIA will also encourage competitors and ambassadors in the various FIA Championships to jointly participate in the promotion of the Decade of Action.